Maybe it was because Christmas in Portugal at that time was not yet a very commercialized holiday.

Christmas for us was about Jesus, church, and big meals with family. (and presents of course)

There was always some aunt/uncle that would dress up as Santa in order to hand everyone their presents but it was always as a joke.

Will on the other hand believed in Santa until he was 12 years old. (yeah!)

John and Hayes (his parents) always did a great job at only wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve so when he and his siblings would wake in the morning, the tree was full of presents.

They would also leave milk and cookies for Santa.

I like the thought of believing in Santa. (or believing in the magic of Christmas)

Lily has not yet been taken anywhere to sit on Santa’s lap (or the Easter bunny for that matter of fact) because I think it’s something that should live in a child’s heart and imagination.

Like magic.

This past Christmas was a bit magical with a two year old Lily.

We started with an advent calendar in the beginning of the month, we read The Night Before Christmas for a week every night before the day AND on Christmas Eve, Lily left milk and cookies for Santa by the chimney.

On Christmas day after she went through her stocking that was left by her crib by Santa, she walked into the room, saw all the presents under the tree, saw the empty glass and plate and said “Santa was here!”.

She believes.

I can’t wait for the years to come and I hope Will and I can pull off the magic of Santa.